Hey everyone! My name is Benjamin Racz and I’m from Middletown, Maryland. Though originally born outside the Washington D.C. area, I moved to western Maryland right before I started middle school. It was a tough adjustment, but I think that is the reason why I am so good at stepping out of my comfort zone. Even though I’m from Maryland, I’m a diehard New York Giants fan. I consider myself a very active person, so you’ll always find me doing something sports-related. I played basketball and ran cross country in high school, but coming to the Academy I was all about trying something new. I am on the crew team and I enjoy every second of it. My favorite band is Mumford & Sons, though I’ll listen to any kind of music.

My first exposure to the Coast Guard Academy was through AIM. It was a tough week, but it made me realize how awesome the Academy was as a potential college option. As I looked at other schools, I slowly began to realize that the Coast Guard Academy was the right fit for me.